[OnlySoMany]

Atrium Closed all day.

 

[monkey4054]

Yeah I got to say I’ve owned quite a few planars and blurry soup is the last thing I’d call them. I try to respect everyone’s subjective experience but this is baffling

Hey, how's the Tungsten?

 

[MillionAntz]

Hey, how's the Tungsten?

I really love it. I’ve gone through a lot of headphones and I’ve be sticking with these for a long while. Having a good chain is essential for them. Hybrid pads can add a bit of warmth if stock config is too neutral for people

 

[harris4crna]

Going back and forth between Atrium Closed and the Tungsten for metal.

With this said, and yet I know most will disagree, but I love listening to metal on my BHSE with either Audeze CRBN or even L700 MK2. Still has enough bass to appreciate, but its quick and transient which makes e-stats sound good with the likes of prog metal and even thrash. I am listening to Anthrax Among the Living on the L700s and loving it on vinyl.

Ranking of my inventory:

1. L700 via BHSE on vinyl (Synergy at its best)
1. ZMF CO via Accuphase 2 channel from MDave (Clarity with oomph)
2. Audeze CRBN Vinyl/MDave (More relaxed like sitting in the balcony, but with good acoustics)
3. L700 via MDave (More on the bright analytical metallic side)

L700 truly is not the best all-rounder, but seems to align well with metal on vinyl. Of course, this can be vinyl quality dependent as with everything. I listened to the CO with MDave, HP jack from Accuphase C3850 and straight out of the Accuphase A-70. Straight from the amp is by far the best sound with CO. The ZMF CO scales well more power despite the fact they are easy to drive. Anyhoo, back to the music.

 

[marts30]

Always grado for me with metal. They do guitars like no other. Even the GW100x sounds great with metal. Intimate soundstages are my preference too, nothing too wide.

Arya/Hifiman? No thanks... just sold my Arya.
HD800S? Nah
Fostex TH610 is fun

 

[ardbeg1975]

Depends on the sub-genre of metal but I'll go with the following in order:

1) Warwick Aperio (epic with all genres but high marks in particular for non-sludge / non-doom)
2) Raal 1995 Immanis
3) Spirit Torino Valkyria
4) Final D8000 Pro
5) LCD-4

Mentions for previously owned headphones

1) Abyss AB 1266 Phi TC
2) T+A Solitaire P
3) Kennerton Gjallarhorn GH50 JM Edition

 

[oldmate]

Tried few cheaper cans (1990 pro, Elear, HD660S2) while alright they dont deserve to be talked about alongside these three.

Seriously, all these kilobuck plus headphones for metal and some cans should not even be what, mentioned alongside headphones that cost thousands!!

Pffft - DT770 Pro 80 Ohm all day for metal. You might save a few bucks also. Good isolation, great comfort, fast drivers, good bass and great sound stage for a closed back. No closed back drawbacks whatsoever. Better still Joe Average can justify the purchase and still be deliriously happy. I use them and have a pair of DT 770 Pro X's on the way.

There is too much emphasis on price on these forums - less than 200 bucks gets you a great set of cans for metal.

 

[Mhog55]

Always grado for me with metal. They do guitars like no other. Even the GW100x sounds great with metal. Intimate soundstages are my preference too, nothing too wide.

Arya/Hifiman? No thanks... just sold my Arya.
HD800S? Nah
Fostex TH610 is fun

Couldn't agree more regarding soundstage. Something too far outside the head just doesn't sound right with metal. That being said, something boxy isn't good either. Transient response and the drivers being able to keep up when it's busy are of more value imo.
My favorites are the original Kennerton Gjallarhorn - Non modded version, and the Ibasso SR2. I consider both as semi open sets. I have a set of closed, custom DIY cans, that beat them both though. And they only cost me 350 bucks. Others I've tried that were decent with metal were the 9200, Clear MG, and the 58X. Not a fan of planars with metal.

 

[evanft]

• HE-6SE - Best neutral/balanced sounding headphones for metal I've heard outside the Tier 1 headphones. Excellent bass slam/impact, but could use more bass quantity for my tastes. Superb planar qualities (imaging, separation, effortless detail) (Unfortunately have not tried an OG HE6, it's on my wishlist!)

• Fostex TH-600 & E-MU Teak - Almost as good as the 900 with a bit more mid-bass and less sub-bass compared to 900. Incredible value on the used market. The E-MU Teak uses the same driver and is the best new headphone under $500 for metal in my opinion.

Since the HE-6SE V2 regularly goes on sale for $400, would that now be the choice in the price range?

 

[monkey4054]

Since the HE-6SE V2 regularly goes on sale for $400, would that now be the choice in the price range?

Possibly yes, provided you like the HE6-SE sound signature AND have the appropriate amplification, which most people don't.

 

[evanft]

Possibly yes, provided you like the HE6-SE sound signature AND have the appropriate amplification, which most people don't.

I think we need a tier list for desktop nuclear reactors to power them.

 

[DillingerEP]

Always grado for me with metal. They do guitars like no other. Even the GW100x sounds great with metal. Intimate soundstages are my preference too, nothing too wide.

Arya/Hifiman? No thanks... just sold my Arya.
HD800S? Nah
Fostex TH610 is fun

What Grados do you recommend for metal. I want a hp that does guitar like no others with metal as you wrote.

 

[marts30]

What Grados do you recommend for metal. I want a hp that does guitar like no others with metal as you wrote.

I have some custom turbulent X ones that are my favourite, preferred them to the 325x. I own the GW100x and they sound great too, all Grado's definitely share that house sound so throw a dart if you want to try one, the differences are kinda minor between those three I mentioned.

 

[MindBreak]

I think we need a tier list for desktop nuclear reactors to power them.

Lol, chunky desktop nuclear reactors not withstanding, I think the legendary power hungry nature of those cans has to be taken in the context of the amps available at the time of the original release of the OG variant. I would make the assumption that the Jotunheim 2 would power them quite well. Would anyone like to/can confirm?

I am also fairly confident that my Mjolnir 3 can get the job done, as I have had conversations with HE6se owners regarding the pairing.

 

[monkey4054]

Lol, chunky desktop nuclear reactors not withstanding, I think the legendary power hungry nature of those cans has to be taken in the context of the amps available at the time of the original release of the OG variant. I would make the assumption that the Jotunheim 2 would power them quite well. Would anyone like to/can confirm?

I am also fairly confident that my Mjolnir 3 can get the job done, as I have had conversations with HE6se owners regarding the pairing.

You make a good point. Yes, there are many more amplifier options today with enough power and current for these headphones. You just need to make sure you own one of them. I sold my HE6SE V2 a while back to a guy who didn't and I had to warn him that he would need a better amp and that he would likely clip his amp and be disappointed with the sound if he didn't upgrade.